Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18407, William Freeland, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Freeland, William
S 18407
Carded
CONTENTS

[Faded handwritten text, mostly illegible]
Granted on the _____ day of _____ at the rate of _____ Dollars _____ Cents per annum to commence on the 1st day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 day of _____ (P. 22) _____ and _____ _____
Arrears to the 1st of _____ $ 45 20 Spousal allowance _____ $ 11 30 $ 56 50
Revolutionary Claim, due June 7, 1831.
Recorded by _____ Clerk. Book _____ Vol. 2 Page 25
[Faded handwritten text on the right page, mostly illegible]

17394
New Zealand
Massachusetts
Drummer 5 th M c Intosh
  Plat  1  23     7  05  
5-14-16 06
March 28 1833
  373  3    253  ?    1830  P. 315    1144     19.746   
P. 315
122 John J. Davis
22.60 Worcester
Mass
Matthew Metcalf Esq Hopkinton
Mass Grace Liske
Middlesex Co Mass

BRIEF in the case of  William Ireland  County of Middlesex  in the State of  Massachusetts  (Act 7th June, 1839.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 89 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     Vol In 1775 about 2 12 Drummer Genl Sullivan   " about 2 do Capt James Col Bullard   " 1776 about — 21 do Same — Same   Enlisted 1777 2 09 do do do do   " 1778 about 2 9 private Capt Gleason Col Whitney   Vol 1779-80 14 do Capt Perry Col Hawes   Capt Parmenter.  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Hopkinton Mass  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Documentary & Living Witness  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? not properly attached 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
M. L. A. B. Examining Clerk.

M m Ireland
17394
2.10-

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Middlesex ss.
On this thirtieth — day of October — in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open Court, before the Honorable Judge of the Court of Probate in and for the county of Middlesex, aforesaid, now sitting William Freeland a resident of Hopkinton in the county of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged eighty two years, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th. A. D. 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers and served as herein stated.
That on the nineteenth day of April 1775 as soon as he heard of the fight at Lexington he turned out as a volunteer and joined a Company commanded by Capt. John Holmes of Hopkinton, Aaron Abbe was Lieutenant and Samuel Claflin Ensign, and marched all night, first to Lexington and then to Cambridge, and then to Roxbury and joined the Regiment commanded by Col. Samuel Bullard and that he remained in said Company doing the duty of a drummer two weeks until they began to raise a regular Army when he was dismissed and returned home to Hopkinton. And that in the latter part of May or the fore part of June he went as a volunteer in the Company commanded by Capt. John Holmes in Col. Samuel Bullard's Regiment and served as a drummer in said Company about two months and was stationed in Roxbury and that he was in Roxbury when the battle was on Bunker Hill and that he was not in the battle but was in sight of it, and saw the fire in Charlestown, and that when he had served about two months he was dismissed and returned home to Hopkinton. — And that in the month of February 1776, he went again as a volunteer in the Company commanded by Capt. John Holmes in Col. Samuel Bullard's Regiment and served as a drummer in said Company about three weeks, that he was stationed on Dorchester Heights, and that he was there when the British evacuated Boston, and that when he had served about three weeks in said Company he was dismissed and returned home to Hopkinton. And that in the month of May 1777 he enlisted in a Company commanded by Capt. John Gleason, Joseph Brigham was Lieutenant and William Goodenow was Ensign, and

that he marched to Providence and joined the Regiment commanded by Col. Whitney in Gen. Sullivan's Brigade and was stationed a little while in Providence and then marched along near the sea shore to Point Judith stopping a little while at a time at different places, their business being to guard along the sea shore, and that he served as a drummer ten weeks in said Company when he was dismissed and returned home to Hopkinton. — And that in the fore part of August 1778 he enlisted and went to Rhode Island in a Company commanded by Capt. Amos Perry, Reuben Gann was Lieutenant and Thomas Mellen was Ensign, in Col. Benjamin Hawes Regiment, under the command of Gen. Sullivan, that he was stationed on Rhode Island a little while and was then driven off by the enemy and was then stationed near Bristol Ferry, and that he served as near as he can recollect about one month as a private in said Company when he was taken sick with the Dysentery, and that it was more than two months from the time he enlisted before he was able to return home, and that he did not join the company again after he was taken sick. — In the latter part of July or the fore part of August in the year 1779 or 1780 he is not certain which, when he was at work in the fields getting hay news came to him that men were wanted to go into the State of Rhode Island and that he left his work immediately and joined a Company as a volunteer, commanded by Capt. John Parmenter, Thomas Mellen was Lieutenant and James Parmenter was Ensign, and marched into the State of Rhode Island he thinks to Tiverton or near there, and that he stayed in said Company doing the duty of a private two weeks when he was dismissed and returned home, and that he does not recollect the names of any of the field Officers who commanded this time but he recollects one condition of his volunteering was that those who remained at home were to work part of the time for the soldiers on their farms, so that the soldiers should not lose by reason of their crops not being taken care of, which conditions were faithfully performed. — And that the whole time that he served in the Army of the Revolution amounted to a little over eight months including about one month of the time he was sick with the dysentery. — That he was born in Hopkinton on the fifth day of September 1750, and that he has a record of his age in a Bible, and cannot find any other record of his age. —

That he lived in Hopkinton when he was called into the service and that he has lived there ever since. - That General Ward commanded when he was stationed at Roxbury until the fore part of July when General Washington came and took the command, and General Washington commanded when he was stationed on Dorchester Heights, and that General Sullivan commanded the two first times he was called to Rhode Island and the last time he does not recollect who did command. - That he never received a written discharge but was dismissed verbally when his time was out. That he has no documentary evidence and that he could procure evidence from the Office of the Secretary of State of but two terms of his service, and that he knows of no person living, whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service except one term at Rhode Island. - And that he is known in his present neighborhood to Joseph Walker, Samuel Goddard, Benjamin Pond, John Goulding, Ephraim Read and Joseph Morse, who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution. -
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any state. -
Sworn & subscribed the day The mark of X William Freeland year aforesaid J. P. Day Wrote
We Nathanael Howe, a clergyman, residing in the Town of Hopkinton and Matthew Metcalf - residing in said Town of Hopkinton hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with William Freeland, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; - that we believe him to be eighty two years of age, that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. -
Nathanael Howe Matthew Metcalf
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. -
J. P. Day Wrote

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states. — And the Court further certify, that it appears to them that Nathanael Howe, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in said Hopkinton, and that Matthew Metcalf — who has signed the same, is a resident in said Hopkinton and is a credible person; and that their statement is entitled to credit. —
J. P. Pay Wrote
I Samuel Dyer Register of the Court of Probate in and for the county of Middlesex, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of William Freeland for a pension. — In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office on the day and year first aforesaid. —
Also certify that Matthew Metcalf whose own proper signature is set to the Deposition here annexed is a justice of the Peace within said County of Middlesex.
Samuel Dyer

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, September 6 th 1832.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of William Freeland is borne on a roll of Capt e John Homes' company in Col. Samuel Bullard's Regiment and is therein stated to have served twelve days from April 19 th 1775. -
Also on a roll of Capt e Perry's company in Col. Hawes' Regiment of Militia and served therein one month and nine days from August 5 th 1778.
Edward D. Bangs. Secy

I James Wilson of Framingham in the county of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Yeoman, aged seventy two years, testify and say that I served as a private in a Company commanded by Capt. Amos Perry in Col. Hawes Regiment at Rhode Island, about one month from the fore part of August 1778 when I was taken sick with the Dysentery and carried off to the Hospital, and that William Freeland who now lives in Hopkinton belonged to said Company and did duty in the same while I remained in it.
James Wilson
Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Middlesex ss. October 30th A.D. 1832. Then the above named James Wilson personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the said county of Middlesex and made solemn oath that the above affidavit, by him subscribed is true according to the best of his recollection and belief.
Matthew Metcalf Justice of the Peace.
April 24th 1833. I hereby certify that the above named James Wilson is a credible witness and that his statement is entitled to credit.
Matthew Metcalf Justice of the Peace.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Middlesex ss.
On this twenty fourth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three, personally appeared before me the undersigned, a justice of the Peace in and for said county of Middlesex, William Freeland, who being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that by reason of old age and consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; that from the nineteenth day of April 1775 I served as a drummer twelve days; and that from the latter part of May or the fore part of June 1775 I served as a drummer two months; and that from some time in February 1776 I served as a drummer twenty one days; and that from some time in May 1777 I served as a drummer two months and nine days; and that from the fore part of August 1778 I served as a private one month and nine days; and that from the latter part of July or the fore part of August in the year 1779 or 1780. (I am not certain which year,) I served as a private fourteen days; and for such service I claim - - - a pension. -
William
his mark
Freeland
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Matthew Metcalf justice of the Peace.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middletown ss. I, Francis Stone, Clerk of the Court of Probate in and for the county of Middlesex do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of William Foulkes for a Pension; - I also certify that Matthew Melick whose name is subscribed to the foregoing has been at a public of the Peace within said county of Middlesex. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this twenty seventh day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty three
Francis Stone Clerk

P
18404
INVALID.
am
File No. 18407
Wm Freeland
Drummer Pri Rev War
Act: June 7 th 82
Index:—Vol. / , Page 132
[Arrangement of 1870.]

17394
John Freeland
Please to direct the Letters to Matthew Metcalf Esq. Hoopeston Mass.
instead of
John Freeland John Freeland John Freeland

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of William Freeland which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? No VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? ys
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? —
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? documentary evidence not had
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? no
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? ys
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? ys
XVI. † Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? no
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? (handwritten mark)
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension.

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
‡QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.